Jarrod Moore

Less is more, and in the case of the new 2016 Lotus Evora sport 410, 70kg less weight might just mean a whole bunch more fun.

After the recent launch of the revised and record-setting Evora 400, lotus took to pulling as much mass from the updated design as the core design would allow. As such, the more focused Evora Sport 410 uses the same front-end styling as the Evora 400, but gains even more carbon-fibre in its construction.

The construction of the rear bodywork is one area where significant savings were made, with a new single-piece carbon-fibre rear bumper replacing the five pieces that made up the Evora 400's bumper.

More carbon fibre was used in the Evora 410’s front splitter, roof panel and rear diffuser, all of which add up to an additional 15 per cent downforce with no extra drag.

Lotus' principle of ‘adding lightness’ continues inside the Evora 410, with the 400's speakers and interior door cards now gone, but Alcantara-trimmed carbon-fibre bucket seats will keep you in place while you throw the Evora 410 through the twisties.

Should you wish to have some entertainment while on the way to your favourite stretch of tarmac, or track day event, you are able to option in a touchscreen Bluetooth infotainment system and speakers to match.

The same 3.5-litre, supercharged V6 that is found in the Evora 400, has been tweaked to produce 309kW of power at 7000rpm and 410Nm or torque. Lotus claims these figures are enough to get the Evora 410 to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 300 km/h.

A six-speed manual gearbox comes as standard with a limited-slip differential, though if you want you can spec a six-speed automatic transmission with aluminium paddles mounted to the steering wheel.

Keeping with the more focused approach to driving, the Evora 410 uses lightweight, 10-spoke forged aluminium wheels and optional Michelin Cup 2 tyres. Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers also improve handling, whilst making it sit 5mm lower. Braking is handled by 370mm front and 350mm rear discs, and AP Racing four piston callipers at each corner.

All of these changes to the Evora 410 improved the lap times at the Lotus Hethel test track by 3.0 seconds, setting a 1 minute 28 second lap, with the optional Cup 2 tyres fitted.

If all of these sounds great and you’re looking to replace the weekend toy in the garage, you might want to hold off putting that 'for sale' ad up for your current ride. With total production limited to 150 units, and no word yet on whether any of those will make their way to Australian shores, the Lotus Evora 410 might be the perfect weekend car that could have been.